She was named the 'Sexiest Woman Alive' in 2009, but Kate Beckinsale claims being labelled a sex symbol can ruin your love life.

"I think the risk of being the sexiest woman alive is that you don't want to ever have sex again," she told Allure magazine. "You don't want to wear a bikini again. You want to wear some nice overalls and a trucker's hat."

The British actress, considered to be one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, said such emphasis on looks can have a negative impact on self-confidence.

The 38-year-old said she only felt happy in her own skin after settling down with director Len Wiseman.

"Feeling attractive didn't come until I was 29 and with Len... At the time it was partly perceived as if I'd gone all Hollywood, but it wasn't like that at all," she explained. "It was just OK for me to walk around and feel feminine and attractive. I like feeling liberated like this."

Beckinsale, who has a 13-year-old daughter, Lily, with former partner Michael Sheen, said she was not apprehensive about turning 40.

"I haven't experienced a full facial collapse, I haven't suddenly gained 20 pounds that won't go away, or a beard. That probably will happen, but it hasn't yet," she said.